Heidi

Mom, desperately trying to get the health thing right! I started this blog so that I can pass along all the great things that I learn everyday on damage control for our wonderful bodies. It is tough to keep up sometimes with all the things going on in our daily lives so hopefully some of the helpful hints that I provide can make your life easier and healthier. I welcome your comments and tips as well! I am a vegetarian, animal rights advocate and avid animal rescuer.

I am going on vacation to Costa Rica in a couple months so need to makes sure I am really sticking to my eating well plan before I get into a bikini so I thought that I would share this again for myself and anyone else who might enjoy it.

Ever since I can remember I have been obsessed with my weight and have tried just about every pill, fad diet, and exercise program. I even went to a lecture on how to lose weight through breathing once (of course I ate Now and Later candy the whole time because I figured if I could get the breathing thing down well I could eat what I wanted. Right? Well, not exactly). The irony to all this is that I am thin and small boned. I have some weird issue with thinking I'm not even when my size and the scale say I am (I will delve into that another time). The good thing is that I have figured out how to be healthy about this bizarre weight issue I have and not succumb to being overweight or underweight. After trying truly everything under the sun to find a happy balance of being happy with my body size and weight I have also found several ways to be healthy at the same time. I like to eat and I like filling food so I have to be able to feel satisfied or any weight loss tip or plan just won't work for me.

Also, keep in mind that with my last child I gained about 70 pounds and was back to my pre-baby weight within 4 months (it was not easy or fun but I did it) and I did it with the help of some of these tips below (no, I did not exercise but I should have-nobody's perfect) .

You may think you have heard it all about dieting but here is my spin on it!

**As I said in an earlier post, EAT NUTS if you are hungry and need to feel full. I usually combine the nuts with low carb foods and do this for a couple to a few days in a row to lose weight quickly. I would not do this everyday for a long period of time but by eating foods such as nuts, cheese, salads, low carb veggies (edame/soybeans, and green beans are a couple of my favorites and Soybeans contain lecithin, a chemical that will shield your cells from accumulating fat. This chemical prevents, like a shield, fat from forming on your cells. It will also break down fatty deposits in your body.

Eat soybeans at least 3 times a week and you'll be boosting your bodies ability to get rid of fat. You can find soybeans at most grocery stores in the frozen veggie area)and other low carb items combined really pull the weight off me quick (2-4 lbs in 3-5 days)

**DON'T DRINK AWAY ALL YOUR CALORIES. I used to drink a lot of juices more than anything else and I found that I was probably consuming a minimum of 500 calories just in juice. I would rather eat 500 calories wouldn't you?

**If you like sweets a lot like I do then GO FOR THE LOW CARB PROTEIN BARS. I love them and found that many of them were actually like having a candy bar too. I really enjoyed the Atkins brand bars the best myself and still do grab one of those instead of a regular candy bar.

**NEVER LET YOURSELF GET TOO HUNGRY. This is an absolute must for me! If I allow myself to get to the point of really, really hungry then I will eat whatever I want regardless of my good intentions of the day. To combat this I recommend eating several small meals a day instead of three big ones. I usually carry string cheese (organic if you can), nuts, or protein bars with me at all times so that I am constantly full. Being hungry is no fun and there is no reason you cannot lose weight and feel full all the time.

**IF YOU MUST HAVE IT THEN GO AHEAD AND EAT IT. There is nothing worse than depriving yourself. If you want a cookie, chocolate or whatever, then have it. Just make sure you do it in moderation so that you don't feel completely remorseful after consuming an entire pan of brownies (I've done that). It never works to deprive yourself. It's like the person who never wanted to date you and you probably never wanted to date them except for the fact that they didn't want you and that made them desirable (more on that later) to you. It is human nature to want what you can't have, so have it.

I am going to do a part 2 either tomorrow or Thursday so pls. be sure to check back. I may include some foods that actually burn fat and am going to tell you about how I fit in the health part. Below is a recipe I love for those low carb days. It fills you up and is very good . From http://www.seeveggiesdifferently.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=7888

Directions1. In medium bowl beat together eggs and milk. Set aside.2. In large oven-safe nonstick skillet cook MORNINGSTAR FARMS VEGGIE SAUSAGE PATTIES and bell pepper in 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium heat about 3 minutes or until pepper is crisp-tender. Stir in beans and remaining 2 teaspoons oil.3. Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat. As mixture sets, run spatula around edge of skillet, allowing uncooked portions of eggs to flow underneath. Continue cooking and lifting until mixture is almost set and surface is moist.4. Sprinkle cheese over top. Broil 4- to 5-inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until top is just set and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges. Serve with avocado, lime wedges, sour cream, salsa or green onions, if desired.NOTE: To thaw, place in microwave and heat for 30 seconds.

Remember-I am not a nutritionist, doctor or anything of the sort (as much as my mother would have liked that) just someone who wants to share what has worked for her as I know the ups and downs of body weight issues. Also, I recommend talking to your doctor before starting any diet program.

I am learning that as I get older...the metabolism just takes a huge nose dive! Oh well...you have to just learn to love yourself (easier said than done!). I have my 20 yr. H.S. reunion in 2 weeks...I am not even gonna try to diet at this point. My motto: "Take me as I am!"

You got it right - eat smaller meals more often and don't deprive yourself. Eat nuts - they are so healthy! And don't drink too much fruit juice - that's very sensible advice. Why not eat the fruit instead? You get fibre and it's a whole lot more filling. People who wants to slim down should read this post!

I'm so jealous of your trip to Costa Rica!!! and although I understand not being happy with the way we are, you look wonderful!!! I'm still trying to get back to my pre-baby weight - 4 years later!!! :-)

i think the thing i love best about reading your posts is that you are human. you confess your struggles and you make it all seem real, not that we have to be perfect or on some unrealistic regimen. thanks for the insights, heidi. you're the best!

This is very informative. I use candy or a kit-kat for quick relief but not as a real solution. I am not that big boned as well but I just look awful being skinny or something so I stay chubby/round but with shape.. I just envy those who look good really with perfect shape.

Enjoy your vacation and I know it would be a lovely image in bikini. ^^

I used to have "heavy" breakfast such as frittata when i was still in the philippines...living in europe however changed my life to just milk/hot choco and something sweet in the mrning...now frittate go in the dinner while sauces and soupy stuffs go in the pranzo/ lunch.

Excellent material as usual :). I am one of those people that needs information like this not stay thin but to stay healthy. Sometimes people think that thin means you do not have to worry about what you eat, well my doctor will tell you differently. I actually just received a lecture yesterday on my diet...so thank you I needed this post.

wow interesting. Maybe I should ask a friend to read this post since she is so into dieting and being thin :) I am at a healthy weight as per my height ratio but yes, I can do better! I'll keep this in mind.

Great article. I also find that eating often and not allowing myself to get hungry helps. I tend to pile my place with veggies so that my brain thinks I am eating loads and also make sure I have some carbs and proteins to fill me up. Seems to working well so far!

I have such a hard time with juice... drinking it or not drinking it... because I love juice, and I feel that it's healthy for me to drink, yet, like you said, it's sugar. And, I mean natural sugar, not the syrup stuff... because I only drink 100% juice... but I still sit and wonder if I should drink less. Gah! I just love the stuff... especially when it's hot out. I can drink a whole jug of juice by myself in a day if you let me... haha...

Hmmm... Nuts. Gotta get some more nuts. One of my favorite snacks is, peanut butter and apple slices... though I like to change it up and have apples with pepper-jack cheese sometimes too... hehee.;)

Got to agree with you on the 'Don't drink away your calories tip'. Whilst I occassionally let myself have a can of soda (usually about once a week) I generally stick with tea, coffee, green tea and water.

My Blog List

Click Here To Feed Homeless Animals For Free!

Disclaimer to keep the lawyers at bay

I’m not a doctor, therapist, nutritionist or anything of the like(would probably be nice but I'm not) . Anything I’ve written here is to tell you about my experiences and what has worked for me or general information. It isn’t advice. I’m not telling you to do any of these things. I just want to pass on what has helped me and hope that you enjoy this blog.